Ireland 2007

The Irish Odyssey 12-day Tour with CIE tours began in Dublin. One place we visited was Blarney Castle, where you could climb to the top to kiss the blarney stone. We did not attempt the climb, but many in our group managed to kiss the famous stone. One of my favorite places was the Dingle Peninsula Tour, located on the mountainous southwest coast. The coastal scenery was magnificent with views of the rugged shoreline and steep cliffs. Dingle is an Irish speaking district. I didn't know Ireland had it's own language, but it is taught in the schools and the road signs have Irish and English on them. Another very scenic tour was to the Cliffs of Moher. They are located on the west coast of Ireland, an impressive wall of rock that rises nearly 700 feet above the open Atlantic Ocean. Kylemore Abbey was also located in a very beautiful valley. It is a 19th century Mansion, which is now a prestigious girls' school. Two factories we visited were the Celtic Crystal Factory and the Marble Factory, both interesting history.

Blarney Castle 

In Northern Ireland we walked in the walled city of Derry, and visited the famous Giant's Causeway on the far north coast. I didn't know what this was when I first heard about it. Our brochures says these huge hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago. The volcanic rock formations were strange looking and difficult to walk on. While still in Northern Ireland, we visited the Ulster American Folk Park. The Park traces the story of emigrants by showing how they lived in the Old Country and then sailed across the Atlantic to settle in the New World. It was also the last place to spend our British Pounds. The rest of Ireland uses the Euro. Our final night of the Tour was at Cabra Castle in Kingscourt. It was built in 1760. The story was told of a young lady and her baby who haunt the castle. I don't know, she didn't show up when we were there, just as well, the place was a bit strange with many hallways and stairs twists and turns. One could perhaps loose their way never to be heard from again! Thankfully we arrived back home safely.

Irish countryside 

Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland